Causes

FAP is caused by a genetic defect. Polyps usually begin developing during during the teenage years, and 95% of people with FAP will have polyps by age 35. The average person with FAP will have colorectal cancer found by the age of 39 years.

Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for FAP is having family members with this condition. However, this condition can occur in people without a family history of the condition. This is because the genetic defect can caused by a new mutation in the affected person.

Symptoms

In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

An endoscopy is a thin, lighted, telescope-like tube with a camera that is used to look for polyps inside the intestines. Endoscopy for FAP may include:

An exam of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine

An exam of the rectum and colon

Treatment

FAP is treated with surgery. Since FAP causes so many polyps, they cannot be removed individually. Therefore, the goal of surgery is to remove the portion of the intestine that contains the cancerous or precancerous polyps. The surgical procedure used depends on the length of intestine involved.

Surgery

The three main surgical treatments are:

Colectomy
with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA)
—Removal of the colon except for a small section above the rectum. The last part of the small intestine is connected to the remaining part of the colon, preserving bowel function.

Restorative proctocolectomy (pouch)
—Removal of the colon and rectum, leaving the anal canal. A pouch is created with the lower end of the small intestine. The pouch mimics the function of the rectum. The pouch is connected to the anal canal, preserving bowel function.

Total proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy
—Removal of the colon, rectum, and anal canal. A permanent ileostomy is created. An ileostomy is a surgical opening through the wall of the abdomen. It is used as a path for waste material to leave the body. After an ileostomy, you will wear a special bag to collect body waste.

Duodenal polyps in the small intestine are managed with endoscopy. An endocope is used to find the polyps. Once found, the surgeon inserts small tools through a tube in the endoscope and removes them. In some cases, surgery to remove the duodenum may be done.

Medications

Medications are used shrink polyps and to prevent new ones from forming. Medications include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

COX-2 inhibitors

Follow-Up

The remaining intestine will need to be inspected by endoscopy as often as every 6 months for the rest of your life. Because the risk of developing other polyps that could grow to become cancer is so high, it is crucial for your doctor to keep a very close watch. If more polyps arise, further surgery may be required.

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent FAP.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.